Gary M. Samms

Gary is a highly skilled trial attorney who has successfully handled more than 200 major jury trials throughout his career. With a primary focus on the health care industry, he represents doctors, nurses, health care practitioners, hospitals, and facilities of all types when facing catastrophic outcomes and medical malpractice lawsuits. Gary divides his time between our King of Prussia and Philadelphia offices.

Gary is also experienced in complex civil litigation matters encompassing all areas of professional liability, sexual assault, property litigation and intellectual property. Representing clients in the federal and state courts, he has successfully argued before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and he has handled scores of bench trials, arbitrations and mediations. He serves as a Judge Pro Tem for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and is a trained mediator.

Prior to joining Marshall Dennehey, Gary chaired the Professional Liability and Catastrophic Loss practice groups at a well-known Philadelphia-based law firm. Gary was named one of Pennsylvania's Top 100 Lawyers and one of Philadelphia's Top 100 Lawyers five times, and has been recognized as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer since 2006 by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers . He is also recognized in the 2025 and 2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in America for professional malpractice law - defendants.

Outside of the courtroom, Gary is a distinguished speaker and lecturer on litigation topics including trial tactics, expert selection and cross-examination. He has also been featured on Fox Business News' 'Xpert Forum' program.

Honors & Awards

•AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
•The Best Lawyers in America, Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants (2024-2026)
•The Legal Intelligencer - Professional Excellence Award - “Distinguished Leader” (2020)
•Pennsylvania Super Lawyers (2006-2026; Top 100 in Pennsylvania, 2009-2011, 2013-2014; Top 100 in Philadelphia, 2009-2011, 2013-2014)
•Suburban Life Magazine - Top Attorneys (2013-2022)

Classes/Seminars Taught

•Combatting Nuclear Verdicts in Plaintiff-Friendly Jurisdictions, A.M. Best Insurance Law Podcast, October 30, 2025

Media Commentary

•'Who's Your Doctor? Advice From Advocates on Researching Before Getting a Procedure,' KIRO-7 (Seattle-based TV station affiliated with CBS and Telemundo), November 6, 2025. Gary provided the defense perspective in a segment about researching a doctor's disciplinary history.
•'KIRO-7 Investigates Lag Time Between Complaints Against Doctors and Discipline Catching Up,' KIRO-7 (Seattle-based TV station affiliated with CBS and Telemundo), November 6, 2025. Gary provided the defense perspective in a segment about the lag time between complaints against doctors and the time it takes to investigate before any discipline is enforced.
•Phila. Anesthesiologist Wins Defense Verdict in Multimillion-Dollar Case Over C-Section Complications, The Legal Intelligencer
•The Defense Bar Is Feeling the Strain: Busy Med Mal Trial Schedules Might Be Phila.'s 'New Normal', The Legal Intelligencer
•Philadelphia Jury Returns Defense Verdict in $12M Infant Death Case, The Legal Intelligencer
•Philadelphia on Track for Record Year of High-Dollar Verdicts, The Legal Intelligencer
•In Rarely Used Argument, Temple Says $25.9M Verdict Would Hurt the Community, The Legal Intelligencer
•Fed. Judge Allows Lawsuit Alleging 'Skill' Games Are Illegal Gambling to Proceed-For Now, The Legal Intelligencer
•An Older Pa. Woman Was Placed Under Guardianship. Her Family Says the System Betrayed Her, The Philadelphia Inquirer
•Suburban Med Mal Findings Plummet as Plaintiffs Flock to Philadelphia, The Legal Intelligencer
•Casinos Fight for Gaming Turf as Vegas-Style Machines Show Up in Local Bars, Convenience Stores, The Wall Street Journal
•UPMC 'Provision' Could Ward Off Effects of Looming Med Mal Venue Rule Change-If It Can Survive in Court, The Legal Intelligencer

Results

Defense Verdict in Complex Medical Malpractice Trial

Defense Verdict Secured on Behalf of a Major Philadelphia Healthcare Provider

Thought Leadership

Podcast/Webinar

Combatting Nuclear Verdicts in Plaintiff-Friendly Jurisdictions

October 30, 2025

In this podcast episode, John Delany, Gary Samms and John Hare discuss the best approaches for attorneys to prevent nuclear verdicts in the courtroom. https://legaltalknetwork.com/podcasts/insurance-law-podcast-am-best/2025/10/combatting-nuclear-verdicts-in-plaintiff-friendly-jurisdictions/

News

Marshall Dennehey Announces 2026 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Honorees

May 22, 2026

Marshall Dennehey Trial Lawyers and Appellate Chair Talk Nuclear Verdicts in A.M. Best’s Insurance Law Podcast

November 7, 2025